Falge, E., J. Tenhunen, D. Baldocchi, M. Aubinet, P. Bakwin, P. Berbigier, C. Bernhofer, J.M. Bonnefond, G. Burba, R. Clement, K.J. Davis, J.A. Elbers, M. Falk, A.H. Goldstein, A. Grelle, A. Granier, T. Grunwald, J. Gudmundsson, D. Hollinger, I.A. Janssens, P. Keronen, A.S. Kowalski, G. Katul, B.E. Law, Y. Malhi, T. Meyers, R.K. Monson, E. Moors, J.W. Munger, W. Oechel, K.T.P. U, K. Pilegaard, U. Rannik, C. Rebmann, A. Suyker, H. Thorgeirsson, G. Tirone, A. Turnipseed, K. Wilson, and S. Wofsy, 2002. Phase and amplitude of ecosystem carbon release and uptake potentials as derived from FLUXNET measurements, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 113 (1-4), 75-95.

As length and timing of the growing season are major factors explaining differences in carbon exchange of ecosystems. we analyzed seasonal patterns of net ecosystem carbon exchange (F-NEE) using eddy covariance data of the FLUXNET data base (http://www-eosdis.ornl.gov/FLUXNET). The study included boreal and temperate. deciduous and coniferous forests, Mediterranean evergreen systems, rainforest, native and managed temperate grasslands, tundra, and C-3 and C-4 crops. Generalization of seasonal patterns are useful for identifying functional vegetation types for global dynamic vegetation models, as well as for global inversion studies, and can help improve phenological modules in SVAT or biogeochemical models. The results of this study have important validation potential for global carbon cycle modeling.